the role in an Old Vic production (2004 and 2005), he contacted Calvin for guidance. He broke into radio in the 1950s as Tommy Trotter in the radio show Welsh Rarebit on BBC Wales. He appeared on the BBC Light Programme's Workers’ Playtime on 47 separate occasions from 1951 to 1964 and on Midday Music Hall on 13 occasions from 1953 to 1964 as well as many other programmes. He was a columnist in the Western Mail for many years. He supported many charities. In 1991 he became the first Welshman ever to be elected King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a show business fraternity and charity, and was also the Welsh chairman of the Variety Club of Great Britain, executive member of The Royal Variety Charity and supported the Cerebral Palsy charity. Calvin-Thomas was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for charitable services in 1991 and the Officer of the Order of Saint John (OStJ) in 1993. An accomplished after-dinner speaker, he spoke at St. David's Day events all over the world. He lectured on the subject 'Laughter - The Antidote to Stress'. He appeared in Malaysia, Jakarta and Vietnam in the Far East and many American states in the West. In 1994, he was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He became Vice President of both the British Music Hall Society and the Max Miller Appreciation Society. Personal life and death Calvin was a founding member and trustee of the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Charity. He married Carole Calvin, a former dancer from Tenby, in 1985. At a special event in 2021, he celebrated 75 years in show business. He died on 25 January 2022, at the age of 96. References External links 1925 births 2022 deaths Welsh comedians Pantomime dames People from Narberth British Army personnel of World War II Royal Army Service Corps soldiers People educated at Cardiff High School